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Abstract

Improved interoperability between public organizations as well as between public and private organizations is of critical importance to make electronic government more successful (Pardo & Tayi, 2007; Wang, Song, Hamilton, & Curwell, 2007). The mobilization of electronic information across organizations has the potential of modernizing and transforming information exchanges. The current information exchanges are, however, often inefficient and error-prone (Eckman, Bennet, Kaufman, & Tenner, 2007). Exchanges of information and services are fragmented and complex, dominated by technical as well as organizational problems. High-ranking issues among the defining purposes of e government are highly agile, citizencentric, accountable, transparent, effective, and efficient government operations and services (Scholl & Klischewski, 2007). For reaching such goals, the integration of government information resources and processes, and thus the interoperation of independent information systems are essential. Yet, most integration and interoperation efforts meet serious challenges and limitations.

1. Stages Of E-Government Interoperability

Improved interoperability between public organizations as well as between public and private organizations is of critical importance to make electronic government more successful (Pardo & Tayi, 2007; Wang, Song, Hamilton, & Curwell, 2007). The mobilization of electronic information across organizations has the potential of modernizing and transforming information exchanges. The current information exchanges are, however, often inefficient and error-prone (Eckman, Bennet, Kaufman, & Tenner, 2007). Exchanges of information and services are fragmented and complex, dominated by technical as well as organizational problems. High-ranking issues among the defining purposes of e-government are highly agile, citizen-centric, accountable, transparent, effective, and efficient government operations and services (Scholl & Klischewski, 2007). For reaching such goals, the integration of government information resources and processes, and thus the interoperation of independent information systems are essential. Yet, most integration and interoperation efforts meet serious challenges and limitations.

The purpose of this chapter is to develop a stage model and maturity levels for interoperability in digital government. By identifying development stages, scholars and practitioners have a framework within which they can diagnose the current situation and plan for future improvements in interoperability. Specifically, the objective of this conceptual and exploratory chapter is an attempt to identify issues and to develop models for interoperability based on maturity levels.